Why this programme
We face urgent and complex challenges, such as rising chronic diseases, mental health problems, health inequalities, climate-related health risks, and the growing impact of unhealthy lifestyles. To realise impactful solutions to these challenges, we need innovative, evidence-based and collaborative efforts. In our Health Promotion (HeP) master's programme, we are invested in training ‘health promoters of the future’: professionals ready to tackle complex challenges and build healthier, more equitable societies. Improving wellbeing goes beyond individual choices and behaviours. That's why this programme also trains students to understand and influence the environments and policies that impact health.
You’ll learn how to design, implement, and evaluate innovative, evidence-based health promotion programmes that empower people and communities to take control of their health. By combining theory, research, and practice, you’ll develop the skills to turn insights into action, drive sustainable change, and make a real impact on public health.
This programme is for you if:
- you have a keen interest in understanding how environment, policies and behaviours shape health and wellbeing.
- you are passionate about designing, implementing and evaluating health-promoting programmes.
- you want to make an impact and contribute to real and sustainable change.
A planned and systematic approach to solving real-world health challenges
Maastricht University is a global leader in training future health promoters to think critically, act strategically, and make a lasting impact on wellbeing and health. In this programme, you’ll learn to master a planned and systematic, evidence-based approach.
You'll go from understanding complex, real-world health challenges to designing, implementing, and evaluating impactful interventions and policies. This hands-on, structured way of working gives you the confidence and flexibility to tackle any health challenge - from local community issues to global public health crises - and truly make a difference where it matters most.
Create impact through a focus on research, theory, and practice
The HeP programme combines research, theory, and practice to help you become a skilled, evidence-driven, confident health promoter. Each course combines academic insights with hands-on training. You’ll tackle real-life health challenges, applying both scientific and practical approaches to complex issues faced by communities and organisations. Portfolio-based assessment supports your academic, professional and personal development through goal setting, coaching, and reflection. With opportunities to conduct research and gain experience in both academic and practical settings, you’ll graduate ready to tackle real-world health challenges and create meaningful, lasting impact.
Become the health promoter of the future
The HeP programme focuses on understanding and influencing both behaviour and the environments that shape it, empowering you to create lasting change at individual, community, and societal levels. You’ll learn to design and lead initiatives that promote health and wellbeing across diverse settings, such as schools, workplaces, healthcare, and neighbourhoods, and among groups like children, adolescents, employees, patients, and vulnerable populations.
Graduates find career opportunities in a wide range of organisations, including health institutes, consultancies, insurance companies, government agencies, and academia. Many students secure meaningful positions as experts in the field, who turn their knowledge and skills into real-world impact.
The strengths of our faculty
Employability
We emphasise the development of important skills that are valued in the labour market. Our educational system, which focuses on small-scale educational activities, promoting autonomy in students, and stimulating collaborative learning in groups, trains you to function efficiently, plan your work efficiently, and communicate and collaborate effectively. Our faculty members have extensive networks, which allows for the contribution of eminent scientific experts and practitioners, as tutors, lecturers and research supervisors. Each year, we organise a career event where we invite alumni and create networking opportunities.
Master’s thesis research
You have a wide range of options for conducting your thesis research. You can do your thesis research in an academic setting, but you can also opt for options outside of the university. We have a strong network with health promotion agencies and organisations, including public health agencies, care organisations, and (local) governmental institutions within the Netherlands and internationally. In addition to our fixed offer, it is often possible to accommodate requests for specific master’s thesis topics. The topics and placements are communicated very early in the year, allowing sufficient time for you to choose and find a fitting topic.
Embracing our diverse student population
We welcome students with various academic backgrounds into our programme. Some students come from bachelor’s programmes at a Dutch university, or university of applied sciences, whereas others arrive in Maastricht with similar degrees obtained elsewhere in the world. Diversity in our programme enhances learning and we actively promote that diversity. The expertise and experiences that come with this diversity provide us with unique possibilities to learn from and with each other.
PREMIUM honours programme
Want to gain that extra edge by getting real-world experience during your studies? The PREMIUM honours programme will help you gain the experience and develop the skills employers are looking for. As part of a team of students and under the guidance of our academic staff, you will spend about three months working on a real-world assignment for a company, NGO or educational institution. You will also work on a personal development plan, receive intensive individual coaching and attend master classes and workshops. All of this will take about 250 hours, but it will give you a lifetime of benefits.
Student stories
Angelica D’Sa: behavorial change has no one-size-fits-all answer
“During my bachelor’s in physical therapy, I had a minor in exploring health behavior. I found that minor fascinating because physical therapy is more than just working with a broken leg, it’s also looking at the determinants that influence the recovery of that leg."
